Commercial & Editorial

2024 Perfect {Professional} Headshots Coming on April 1

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It’s almost spring! You know what that means…slush, mud, and HEADSHOTS.

On April 14, 2024 (ONLY), Steven Cervantes of Salon Bella and I are teaming up once again to offer a day of easy-peasy, sit-back-and-relax, customized portraits to check that “Get Professional Headshot” item off your to-do list.

Steven is in charge of hair and makeup, and this is not to make our subjects ultra-glam or even all that fancy - just polished, and confident that they’re going to look great. (This goes for all genders - trust me, even the most macho of guys benefits from matte, even skin tone and expertly coiffed hair.) I’m in charge of the portraits, which we’ll design together in order to make sure we get what you want our of your session. You can expect to spend 90-120 minutes in the comfort of Salon Bella on April 14 - after which you’re free to go grab your dancing shoes and head out on the town, because you’re going to look fabulous!

Each session also includes a prep guide, an online gallery, and a complete set of finished high-resolution images via download. The all-inclusive fee is $499. Reservations are required, and a $100 deposit is collected when your session is reserved. The balance is due at or before the time of the session.

In an age of LinkedIn iphone selfies, stand out in the crowd with a killer professional portrait. It’s a worthy investment in yourself that, quite frankly, you deserve. I also always try to remind people that in most cases, if your headshots are for work, they’re considered a business expense that can serve as a tax write-off!

I hope this is the year we see you there! Ready to book yours? Keep scrolling!

Adventures in Portraiture || My Attempt at the Up-Close Headshot

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Odds are, you’ve seen a Martin Schoeller portrait, even if you didn’t realize it at the time.

He’s done series of portraits of the housing-insecure in LA, bodybuilders, NASCAR drivers, identical twins, and something like four U.S. presidents in addition to a slew of celebrities. I can’t actually post any of his work here because, you know, copyright, but I trust that Google can help you out here. (I actually find it very entertaining that the thumbnail Google begins to auto-fill when you search for Martin Schoeller is not a photo of Martin Schoeller, but is instead a headshot of Brad Pitt that Martin Schoeller photographed. In short, no, he’s not Brad Pitt.) His portrait of Jeff Koons is to portraiture what Salt Bae is to seasoning.

Anyway, I find his signature style of portraiture - very close up and meticulously lit - mesmerizing. There’s frustratingly little reliable information out there on the interwebs about how one would replicate it. But I’ve strategically paused and screen-grabbed from enough interviews and news coverage he’s done over the years to feel like I had a general idea of his set-up…enough, at least, to try it.

The assignment for the photography class I was taking at UAF this semester was to create a series of 12, theme and subject of our choosing. I figured it was as good a time as any.

In my world, the most willing and amply available models are kids, so that’s what I went with. (If you wish to learn from my mistakes, I would tell you that it turns out kids aren’t actually the ideal subjects for a meticulously arranged and minorly claustrophobic set that includes a “ceiling” reflector held aloft by light stands, BUT THAT’S ANOTHER BLOG ENTRY.)

I give you, Before and After.


Perfect {Professional} Headshots coming up on March 7, 2021

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HEADS up, everyone! (See what I did there?)

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Steven Cervantes of Salon Bella and I are again collaborating to bring Fairbanks a day-long event dedicated to producing custom headshots that are perfect for your professional purposes. Our last event was in March 2020 - JUST before lockdown. One year later, we’re thrilled to be back.

The event is Sunday, March 7, 2021. We will be observing safety practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19: staff will be wearing masks; participants will be staggered in such a way as to prevent a proximity of under six feet; and anyone who has been exposed to a known case will be asked to abstain.

I am REALLY looking forward to this. Let’s get to it, people!

Your custom headshot session includes a preparation guide, a sitting with a professional hair & makeup artist, a portrait sitting, and a complete set of finished portraits (you can expect at least 15-20 unique portraits) via digital download + print release. The all-inclusive fee is $350, and remember, if these headshots are for your professional life, this is a tax-deductible expense! RSVP Required.

You can reserve your spot with a $50 deposit here.

If you’re new here, you may have missed out on some of my soapbox ramblings on headshots - but lucky you, I linked them here!

The Original Perfect {Professional} Headshot event

More thoughts on headshots for small businesses

A few more examples of lovely local people’s headshots

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Edible Alaska Fall 2020 Issue: Snout to Table | Collaboration with Jennifer Nu

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This month (August 2020) sees a year-long project to fruition: the publication of the Larder, Pantry, Cellar Fall issue of Edible Alaska magazine. Within its pages is the second collaboration between Jennifer Nu and myself for the magazine: Snout to Table (and its companion piece, Lard for the Larder).

In June 2019, Jen asked me if I might be interested in following along an oncoming project of hers: a pig, from start to finish.

Jen reserved a piglet to be reared at a farm just outside of Fairbanks, and we visited “Hamletta” (which is the name my oldest child bestowed upon his favorite pig) in June, July, August, September, and finally in October for the dispatch (or harvest, as it were). I followed along to observe the butchering process, and later watched Jen prepare lard, which was only one of her many, many projects that sought to utilize every last bit.

Definitely try to get your hands on a copy of Edible to get the full experience - it’s available for free at many local hotspots, or by subscription (which I highly recommend in this day and age). In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites.

Sarah is available for hire for commercial and editorial assignments. Interested? Contact her here.

Upcoming Headshot Event, December 2, 2018 | Fairbanks Business Photographer

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One last time in 2018: A full day of headshots! This event includes a preparation guide, an on-site sitting with a professional makeup artist, a portrait sitting, and a complete set of finished portraits (you can expect at least 10-15 unique portraits) via digital download + print release. The all-inclusive fee is $250; and remember, if these headshots are for your professional life, this is a tax-deductible expense! 

RSVP Required. To reserve your spot, please purchase a deposit and select an appointment time here. Please feel free to flag me down with any questions! 

I love this event because I think headshots - GOOD headshots - are really, really important, especially for small, local business. More info and thoughts on headshots here.

INTERSECTIONS: Art by Amy Komar, October 2018

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INTERSECTIONS is a solo exhibit at the Alaska House Gallery featuring an entire year’s worth of work by Amy Komar, artist (and friend) extraordinaire.

If your October “First Friday” walk includes downtown Fairbanks, make sure you swing by Alaska House for the show’s opening reception, October 5, 2018, 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Or, you know, make a special trip. This show is worth it!

The show hangs through the end of November. You can get in touch with Amy and see more of her work on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.


(90% of these antique metal pieces are held in their handmade frames by super strong MAGNETS. They’re pretty much the coolest things ever.)

And what about these lovely photos of Amy’s artwork, you ask? They were produced right here in the studio at Sarah Lewis Photography. I’m pleased to offer artwork photography to the Fairbanks community (it is, after all, some of my favorite things - local art, local business, and commercial photography - all wrapped up into one convenient package!).

Exciting things are in the works over here when it comes to artists and supporting the art community… stay tuned, or sign up for my email newsletter to get more info soon.

Next Up: Perfect {Professional} Headshots, June 24, 2018

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And though I can scarcely believe it, the next installment of Perfect {Professional} Headshots is just around the corner on Sunday, June 24, 2018. I have the day set aside to transform the studio into a haven of headshots. Steven Cervantes of Salon Bella will be on site all day providing professional makeup services (and hair finishing touches). Each session includes about thirty minutes with Steven and thirty minutes in front of the camera. It's my goal to provide a comfortable, confident environment so we can produce a versatile set of portraits to suit your professional needs.

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These headshot events are a bit of a passion project - and I know I've written at length about it before, so I'll spare you now, haha. I'm always thinking about ways to tweak the experience (for the better) and to produce portraits that will meet the variety of needs my clients present. As a result, the upcoming Headshot event is a little different in two significant ways: 1) a wider variety of poses will be included for all participants, ranging from very formal to very casual, and very traditional to very 'artsy'; and 2) each session includes a complimentary in-person consultation AFTER the finished photos have been delivered if further refining or retouching is desired.

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Sessions include a prep guide; 30 minutes with the makeup artist; up to 30 minutes in front of the camera; a complete set of finished high resolution images + print release; and a post-image in-person consultation if desired. 

If headshots are on your to-do list, this is your chance! And - this is the big thing to pay attention to - if you're an existing headshot client, you have a standing invitation to participate as well at a special 50% discount. It's a great opportunity to expand the headshots you have, add a completely different look, or even start from the ground up if you'd like.

You can purchase your June 24, 2018 Perfect {Professional} Headshots RSVP here.   Please leave me a note in the 'comments' (or shoot me a separate email) to let me know what time of day would generally work best for you.  I can't wait!